23 Feb 2024 9 min to read
Manaslu Circuit Trek is regarded as an off-beat trek that pleases trekkers with the untouched nature and authentic charm of the Manaslu region. Manaslu is a remote region with deep valleys, ancient Tibetan culture, varied diverse flora and fauna, beautiful landscapes, and towering snow-covered mountains. Manaslu Circuit Trek takes travelers through lowlands, high-altitude settlements, and alpine pastures, and offers picturesque scenery. Manaslu Circuit is not as popular as the Everest and Annapurna treks but perfect choice for travelers seeking to experience raw, unique, unspoiled nature, and adventure. Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty is Graded 4 which means this trek is very demanding and tough.
The highest point of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is Larke/Larkya La Pass at an elevation of 5,106 m. Traversing this pass is an adrenaline-charged task for travelers as the trails are steep and rugged. Altitude gain is another challenging factor that can lead to altitude sickness. Besides this, multiple factors determine the Manaslu Circuit Trek’s difficulty such as trek duration, trek route, weather, availability of facilities, etc. Hence, we present this article with some useful insights and tips to plan properly for the Manaslu Circuit trek. Despite the Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty, this trek is worth it for travelers and can be achievable with proper planning and preparations.
Manaslu Circuit Elevation
Manaslu Circuit Trek has a maximum elevation of 5,106 m which is Larke/Larkya La Pass. During the Spring and Autumn seasons, it doesn’t require to use of any heavy gear but during winter some gears are required to pass this trek.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Grade
The remoteness of the Manaslu region, rough trails, limited facilities, long daily walking hours, and elevation gain determine this trek as a difficult graded trek. Trekkers must have prior experience in trekking at high altitudes for this Manaslu Circuit trek. The maximum elevation gain during this trek is 5,106 m which demands trekkers to have top-notch physical fitness. Mentally too trekkers must be stable.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Duration
Manaslu Circuit Trek starts from Soti Khola and ends in Dharapani, hence standard trek duration is 12 days. The itinerary is prepared systematically taking into consideration the rest days for travelers to trek smoothly. There is flexibility to customize the itinerary and extend the side trips.
Manaslu Circuit Trek Difficulty Factors
Remoteness
Manaslu is a remote region and least developed unlike popular Everest and Annapurna regions. The remoteness of the Manaslu Circuit is unique for travelers seeking authenticity and rawness trekking in Nepal. But, this remoteness is one of the most difficult factors during the Manaslu Circuit Trek. The region is remote, hence accommodation and meal facilities are limited. The roads are also rough and not well-developed, thus transportation facilities are also limited.
Trek Route of Manaslu Circuit Trek
Arughat is the only trek route to the Manaslu Circuit Trek which is also the gateway for the Circuit Trek. Since this is the only trek route, it is also used by mules and yaks. Trekkers must be super careful as the trek route is mostly narrow. Don’t stay at the edge while animals are crossing and let them pass first. Maintain your trek speed and continue the trek on this narrow trek route.
Trek Duration of Manaslu Circuit Trek
The standard trek duration for the Manaslu Circuit Trek is 12 days which is scheduled considering the rest days. This trek demands trekkers to walk for 6-7 hours daily on rough and steep trails. The trail is off-beat and hence demands trekkers to be physically fit to walk for such long hours.
Trek Distance of Manaslu Circuit Trek
The trek distance from Soti Khola is 175 km for a standard 12-day trekking itinerary. Trekkers demand to walk daily 10-20 km which is tough for beginners. It is advantageous for trekkers to have previous trekking experiences at such altitudes. If beginner trekkers wish to continue for Manaslu Circuit Trek, they should be both physically and mentally prepared for this trek.
Altitude Sickness
Manaslu Circuit Trek has a maximum elevation gain of 5,106 m at Larke Pass. It is normal to get altitude sickness above 3,000 m. During this trek, as travelers pass Namrung, they might feel altitude sickness.
Acknowledge the altitude sickness symptoms such as headache, nausea, dizziness, uneasiness, appetite, and sleep loss. Some can experience unconsciousness and hallucinations in extreme cases. Thus, acclimatization rest is essential to prevent altitude sickness.
Besides acclimatization, the other preventives for altitude sickness are trekking slowly knowing the body limit, eating a balanced diet, avoiding alcohol and salty foods, drinking water and urinating frequently, informing the guide, getting good rest and sleep, and using medicine consulting a guide.
Trekking Trail of the Manaslu Circuit Trek
The trekking trail of the Manaslu Circuit Trek is very narrow which can be coined as one of the difficult factors of this trek. The narrow and rough trails with multiple ups and downs, steep sections, and walking for long hours daily are tough for trekkers. It is advisable to maintain your pace, don’t push yourself hard, eat a balanced diet, stay hydrated, and be aware of your physical strength. For this trek, the trekkers must have good physical fitness, high stamina, and sound mental fitness.
Weather of Manaslu Circuit Trek
Weather is another difficult factor for trekkers during the trek. As you trek higher, the weather becomes colder. Manaslu Circuit has the highest elevation gain of 5,106 m, thus weather at the Larke Pass is colder than in the lower regions. It is advisable to trek in the peak seasons for trekkers especially beginners as the weather and temperature are mostly stable and predictable. Expect the day temperature during Spring to be 7-18℃, Autumn to be 8-20℃, Winter to be 4-12℃, and Monsoon/Summer to be 12-25℃.
During the night, the temperature is chilling and cold and falls below 0℃. During Spring, Monsoon, and Autumn, the temperature falls between 0℃ to (-5) ℃. The temperature falls below between 0℃ to (-10)℃ during Winter which makes trekking very difficult as it gets very cold. Thus, we recommend trekking during Spring and Autumn as it offers clear views, good weather, and stable temperatures. Make sure to pack wisely according to seasons for a comfortable trekking experience.
Cost Management
Trekkers find difficulty in proper cost management which makes their Manaslu Circuit trek expensive. The trek cost varies according to the chosen trek itinerary, trek duration, trek route, transportation, accommodation, additional services, and personal expenses. Manage your budget wisely, discuss with your tour operator beforehand, and arrange accordingly. Prepare a day-to-day budget plan following the itinerary schedule. In higher regions, the costs of goods are higher. In advance, be prepared and we suggest carrying extra cash in case of emergencies. With proper planning, cost management is not difficult for trekkers. Overall good preparation and proper cash management lead to the best and memorable Manaslu Circuit trekking experience.
Preparation Tips for the Manaslu Circuit Trek
Before the Trek:
- Participate in exercises and training including cardio to stay physically fit.
- Build strength and stamina by cycling, jogging, and hiking at high altitudes.
- Eat a balanced diet and healthy foods.
- Avoid junk or unhealthy foods, drinking alcohol, smoking, and using unhealthy substances.
- Practice yoga or meditation for mental fitness.
- Make a habit of waking up early and strictly follow your daily routine schedule.
- Do necessary health check-ups before the trek and consult a doctor if necessary.
During the Trek:
- Follow the strict schedule (early wake-up, guidelines, guide’s instructions, eating and drinking habits).
- Maintain good physical and mental fitness.
- Avoid smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Avoid salty and junk foods during the trek.
- Keep drinking frequently to stay hydrated.
- Take an acclimatization rest to prevent altitude sickness and adjust to the surroundings.
- Use water-purifying solutions to purify drinking water.
- Use sunglasses to protect the eyes and sunscreen to protect the skin.
- Maintain the trek speed and if any difficulty inform the guide immediately.
- Wear warm but light seasonal clothes and comfortable shoes.
- Make sure to hire a guide and a porter for a safe and memorable trekking experience.
- Stay in the group, follow the main trails, and strictly follow the itinerary schedule.
Additional Info for the Trek
Permits Required
Manaslu Restricted Area Permit (RAP)
USD 100/week per person + USD 15/person per day (beyond a week) [Sep-Nov]
USD 75/week per person + USD 10/person per day (beyond a week) [Dec-Aug]
Manaslu Conservation Area Permit (MCAP)
Foreigners- USD 30/person
SAARC- NPR 1000/person
Annapurna Conservation Area Permit (ACAP)
Foreigners- USD 30/person
SAARC- NPR 1000/person
Trekkers Information Management System (TIMS)
Foreigners- NPR 2000/person
SAARC- NPR 1000/person
Diplomats/Foreign Officials & their families- NPR 500/person
Packing Essentials
- Clothing (Quick-drying lightweight T-shirts, Long-sleeved shirts, Fleece, Shorts, Down Jacket, Trekking pants, Thermal Inners, Leggings, Inners, Thick socks, Gaiters, Full-finger gloves)
- Beanie, Hat, Scarf, Ear warmers, Cap (seasonal)
- Raincoat, Waterproof jacket
- A light backpack
- Comfortable sturdy shoes, slippers
- Sleeping bag, Camping Tent (Trekker’s Preference)
- A durable and reusable water bottle and water purification kit
- Prescribed medicines and First-aid kit
- Personal Items (Money, Money belt, Passport Photograph, Documents, ID, Phone, Camera)
- Personal care kit (Sunscreen, lotion, dust masks, lip balm, face and body wipes, tissues)
- Gear: Ropes, Crampons, Ice Ax, Ice-claw, Harness, Microspikes (optional) [winter season]
Trekking Accessories
- Sunglasses
- Trekking Poles
- Duffle bag or kit bag
- 2-4 Large Plastic bags (to separate clean and dirty clothes)
- 6-10 smaller plastic bags (to dispose of garbage)
- Daypack bag (to carry your requirements)
- Toiletries (Quick drying towel, Toilet paper, Toothbrush, Toothpaste, Soap, Shampoo, Small mirror, Nail cutter)
- Umbrella (optional)
- Headlamp, Torch, Candles, Matches / Lighters, Pocket knife, Whistle
- Binocular, Power Bank, Spare Batteries, Trekking map and compass, Insect Repellant, Sewing Kit, Reading materials, pencil, rubber, pen, and notebook (extras)
Notes
- You can choose to bring this equipment yourself. However, we can help you get these things after you arrive here if you want to travel light.
- We will arrange your pick-up/drop-off according to your flight schedule.
- We can customize the itinerary according to your interests and preferences.
